Amber

Chapter 21: He's Jealous, and I Want Answers

(Amber's POV)

Adrian Blackwood had no right to be jealous.

None.

He spent all his time teasing me, frustrating me, keeping secrets from me—

And yet, the moment another guy even looked at me?

He lost his mind.

And today?

I was going to make him regret it.

—

It started after last period.

I had spent the entire day trying to ignore Adrian.

Trying to pretend he wasn't watching me from across the classroom.

Trying not to think about the way his golden eyes had burned into mine when I confronted him earlier.

But I wasn't stupid.

He was still following me.

Still waiting for me to come to him.

Still acting like he had all the control.

So I decided to prove him wrong.

—

I found Damien at his locker, looking as calm and unbothered as always.

The complete opposite of Adrian.

"Hey," I said smoothly.

Damien looked up, his red eyes glinting with amusement. "Amber. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I smiled. "I have a question for you."

His gaze flickered, like he already knew what I was about to ask.

But he played along. "Go on."

I leaned against the locker beside his, lowering my voice just slightly. "How do you know Adrian?"

Damien's lips twitched. "You're asking me?"

I folded my arms. "Well, he won't tell me anything."

Damien chuckled. "Of course, he won't."

I tilted my head. "Why?"

Before Damien could answer—

"Amber."

My stomach tightened.

Because I knew that voice.

Knew it too well.

I turned slowly.

And there he was.

Adrian.

Standing way too close.

His golden eyes weren't playful anymore.

They were dark. Cold. Dangerous.

He wasn't smiling.

And he was very, very jealous.

—

I raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

Adrian's jaw ticked. "What are you doing?"

I smirked. "Talking."

His eyes flickered to Damien, sharp and deadly. "With him?"

Damien chuckled. "Relax, Blackwood. We were just getting to know each other."

Adrian's entire body tensed.

I had never seen him like this.

Not this possessive.

Not this close to losing control.

And I loved it.

—

"Amber," he murmured, stepping even closer.

I refused to back down.

I refused to let him win.

"You can leave," I said sweetly. "I'm sure you have better things to do than hover over me."

Adrian didn't move.

Didn't blink.

His golden eyes burned into mine, like he was trying to warn me.

Like he was trying to hold something back.

Then, suddenly—

He smirked.

Slow. Dangerous.

"Fine," he murmured.

He stepped past me—but not before lowering his mouth to my ear.

"If you're trying to make me jealous, sweetheart…"

My breath hitched.

His voice was low. Smooth. Deadly.

"It's working."

Then he walked away.

And somehow?

That felt like a threat.

—

I turned back to Damien, exhaling shakily.

He grinned. "That was fun."

I scowled. "Shut up."

He chuckled. "Careful, Amber. Play with fire long enough…"

He glanced toward where Adrian had disappeared.

"And you might just get burned."

__